Matthew Denny heading new wave of Downs throwers

Glen McCullough
Sports reporter
Glen was transferred to the Chronicle editorial section from the comp room in 1992. He worked initially as a racing sub-editor, sport sub-editor and paginator. He worked as a fill-in racing and sport writer during that time before moving into writing full-time.

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THERE is no doubting the huge shadow Justin Anlezark cast in Toowoomba sporting circles.

The triple Olympian ranks alongside the city's most successful athletes of all time as Australia's greatest shot put exponent prior to his retirement in 2010.

After spending 13 years near the top of the international sport tree, few athletes would be more aware than Anlezark of the sacrifices made and the rewards received along the way.

So given the legacy he has left in Toowoomba sport, no-one is probably getting a bigger kick than Anlezark in seeing the next generation of throwers emerging on the Darling Downs.

A small group of athletes, under the guidance of Anlezark's former coach Grahame Pitt, are currently taking some serious steps up the national ladder.

Leading the way in 2012 has been Allora 16-year-old Matthew Denny.

Denny's record-breaking year reached a peak last weekend when he produced a record under-17 Australian hammer throw of 75.83 metres.

He will represent Toowoomba Grammar School at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in Hobart from today while next July's IAAF World Youth Championships in Ukraine are his longer-term target.

While Denny's progress continues at a promising rate, his successful partnership with Pitt almost didn't happen as the coach explained.

"I'd made up my mind before Matthew came along that I had as many throwers as I could handle," Pitt said.

"It was only the persistence of his parents that finally persuaded me to take Matt on board.

"I'd like to coach everyone, and although I've missed out on getting a lot more kids, you just need to draw the line somewhere.

"But Matt has been so good to work with.

"He picked things up quickly and within a few months we started clicking together. The partnership has developed into a rewarding one for both of us."

Ironically it was a sport injury which finally pushed Denny into serious athletics.

"I broke my collarbone playing rugby league in 2010 and that brought about a rethink of things for me," Denny said.

"My athletics was going well at the time and I knew football injuries could get in the way of that so I decided to start concentrating more on my throwing.

"What Pitty does is make our team here like a big family and we all really enjoy it.

"I'm feeling excited about what's happening at the moment and I'm hoping for the best now at the nationals."